Welcome to Antics Pest Control

Although spiders are an important part of our environment, they are not often welcome guests in our homes.

The feeling of walking into their webs, their unpredictable movements, and tendency to invade personal spaces, are just some of the reasons people don’t like having these pest’s inside their home.

Antics Pest Control uses broad-spectrum, long-lasting products, that provide a barrier of protection, to help prevent these 8 legged critters from entering your property.

In Victoria 5 of the most common spiders are:

1.       Red Back Spider (Latrodectus hasseltii)

·        Appearance: Females are black with a distinctive red or orange stripe on their back. Males are smaller and lighter in color.

·        Habitat: Found in dry, sheltered areas like sheds, garages, and under rocks.

·        Behavior: They are web-building spiders and usually hide in their web to capture prey.

·        Bite: Their bite is venomous and can cause significant pain, nausea, sweating, and muscle weakness. Antivenom is available, and bites can be dangerous, particularly to children and the elderly.

·        Prevalence: Common in both urban and rural areas across Victoria.

2.       White Tail Spider (Lampona cylindrata)

·        Appearance: Dark grey or black with a distinctive white spot on the tip of the abdomen.

·        Habitat: Found in homes, gardens, and under bark or leaves.

·        Behavior: They are nocturnal hunters and feed primarily on other spiders.

·        Bite: They inflict a poisonous bite that is painful with mild symptoms, such as local pain, swelling, and itchiness. Occasionally, local blistering or ulceration occurs, which could be due to a secondary bacterial infection.

·        Prevalence: Commonly found indoors, especially in cooler weather.

3.       Huntsman Spider (Family: Sparassidae)

·        Appearance: Large, flat-bodied with long legs. They are brown to grey in color.

·        Habitat: They are often found under bark, in trees, and inside homes.

·        Behavior: Huntsman spiders are fast-moving and hunt their prey rather than building webs.

·        Bite: Non-aggressive and usually flee when threatened. Their bite can cause local pain, swelling, and minor headaches, but they are not dangerous to humans.

·        Prevalence: One of the most common spiders found in homes throughout Victoria.

4.       Black House Spider (Badumna insignis)

·       Appearance: Black or dark grey with a velvety texture. Females are larger than males.

·       Habitat: They build messy, lacy webs in corners of walls, windows, sheds, and tree trunks.

·       Behavior: Shy and reclusive, they rarely leave their web unless disturbed.

·       Bite: Can cause mild to moderate pain, swelling, and localized sweating. Bites are not life-threatening but can cause discomfort.

·       Prevalence: Common around human dwellings, especially in outdoor structures.

5.       Garden Orb-Weaving Spider (Eriophora transmarina)

·       Appearance: Large, round-bodied spider with brown or grey markings and banded legs.

·       Habitat: Found in gardens and bushland, they build large, intricate circular webs.

·       Behavior: They are passive hunters, waiting in their webs for prey to get caught. They are nocturnal, usually repairing their webs at dusk.

·       Bite: Their bite is generally harmless, causing only mild local pain or irritation.

Prevalence: Very common in gardens and parks, often seen hanging in their webs at night.

In Victoria, mosquitoes are especially common during the warmer months and in areas with standing water, such as wetlands, rivers, and even urban backyards. While most mosquito bites cause mild irritation, some species in Victoria are vectors for mosquito-borne diseases such as:

• Ross River virus (RRV)
• Barmah Forest virus (BFV)

These viruses can cause flu-like symptoms, including joint pain, fatigue, and fever, but they are not typically fatal. There are also occasional outbreaks of more severe diseases like Murray Valley encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis, which can lead to brain inflammation in rare cases.

Mosquitoes in Victoria are particularly active after heavy rainfall or in humid conditions, making late spring through early autumn peak mosquito season.

Speak with us today to find personalised solution to rid your summer gatherings of these small, but aggravating pest’s.

In Victoria, Australia, cockroaches are a common household pest, especially in urban areas. They thrive in warm, humid environments and are often found in kitchens, bathrooms, and other places with food, moisture, and shelter. The most common species in Victoria include:

• German Cockroach (Blattella germanica): Small and light brown with two dark stripes on the back. They are typically found indoors, particularly in kitchens and food storage areas.
• Australian Cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae): Larger, reddish-brown, with yellow markings around the head. They are more commonly found in outdoor areas but can enter homes during warmer months.
• Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis): Dark brown or black and known for preferring cooler, damp places like basements or drains.

While cockroaches are not typically dangerous, they can spread bacteria, contaminate food, and trigger allergies or asthma. They are particularly active during warmer months and can be challenging to control without consistent sanitation and pest management efforts.

Antics Pest control can provide multiple options to rid your house of these unsightly insects.

In Victoria, Australia, ants can be a significant nuisance, with several species commonly encountered. Here’s a brief overview of some of the key ant species, including meat ants:

• Black House Ant (Ochetellus glaber): Tiny, black ants that are commonly found indoors, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. They are known for their ability to quickly establish large colonies.
• Sugar Ant (Camponotus consobrinus): Larger ants with a black or reddish-brown body. They are attracted to sugary substances and can be found both indoors and outdoors.
• Pyramid Ant (Brachyponera chinensis): Medium-sized ants with a distinctive pyramid-shaped structure on their thorax. They are usually found outdoors, especially in gardens and under rocks.
• Bull Ant (Myrmecia spp.): Large, aggressive ants with powerful stings. They are often found outdoors and can pose a risk if disturbed.
• Meat Ant (Iridomyrmex purpureus): Large, reddish-brown ants with a distinctively aggressive behavior. They are often found in outdoor areas, such as gardens and bushland, where they build large nests. Meat ants are scavengers and feed on a variety of substances, including meat, which makes them particularly noticeable when they invade homes.
• Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile): Small, light brown to yellowish ants known for forming large colonies. They often invade homes in search of food and water.

Ants in Victoria are especially active during warmer months and can be a problem year-round, particularly if they find easy access to food sources. Effective control measures include good sanitation practices and, if needed, professional pest management.

House mice (Mus musculus) and Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are common pests in Victoria, Australia, and can cause significant issues in homes and businesses. Here’s why they are problematic and why it's crucial to address infestations promptly:

Why Mice and Rats Are Unwanted:

• Property Damage: Mice and rats are notorious for their gnawing behaviour, which can lead to considerable damage. They often chew through electrical wiring, insulation, and structural materials, increasing the risk of electrical fires and compromising the integrity of your property. Their nesting habits also cause further damage as they use shredded materials to build their nests.
• Food Contamination: These rodents frequently invade kitchens and food storage areas, contaminating food and surfaces with their urine, droppings, and fur. This not only spoils food but also poses a risk of foodborne illnesses, potentially leading to health issues for you and your family.
• Disease Risks: Mice and rats are carriers of several serious diseases:
  • Salmonella: Can cause food poisoning through contamination of food and surfaces.
  • Leptospirosis: Transmitted through contact with rodent urine, leading to flu-like symptoms and potential complications.
  • Hantavirus: Though less common in Victoria, it can be transmitted through contact with rodent droppings or urine, resulting in severe respiratory illness.
• Allergies and Asthma: Rodent dander, urine, and droppings can trigger allergic reactions and exacerbate asthma symptoms, particularly in sensitive individuals.

Effective Control Measures:

To effectively manage and prevent rodent infestations:

• Maintain Sanitation: Keep your home clean, promptly address food spills, and store food in sealed containers.
• Seal Entry Points: Inspect and seal gaps, cracks, and holes in walls, floors, and around pipes to prevent rodents from entering.
• Monitor and Trap: Use traps and bait stations to detect and control rodent activity.
• Seek Professional Help: seek the professional services of a pest control expert, who can provide targeted solutions and comprehensive treatments.

Addressing a rodent problem swiftly is essential to minimise damage and protect the health of your household. If you’re dealing with a rodent issue, contact us today for expert pest control solutions.